The TR4A was an evolution of the Triumph TR4 with major changes to the rear suspension to improve the ride of the sports car. This 1966 TR4A sits on jacks and is a project that’s going to need a lot of structural work, some of it to make right what someone else once put wrong. Located in a garage in Detroit Lakes, Minnesota, this little British motorcar is available here on eBay where just one bid of barely $500 has been made.
Triumph replaced the TR3A in 1961 with the TR4 and it was in production until 1965. That’s when the TR4A came along and would stick around through 1967. Some 40,000 copies of the two iterations would be built, often finding their way to buyers in the U.S. The Hotchkiss drive system in the TR4 would give way to an independent rear suspension in the TR4A, improving ride quality as witnessed by the badge “IRS“ (no, not the tax people) affixed in the rear. Apparently, the IRS was optional in America. The same inline-4 engine used in the TR4 continued in the TR4A.
We get the impression the seller bought this TR4A in pretty much the same shape as it is today. The engine was free when it moved to his/her garage, but it’s stuck now, suggesting a long period of downtime. The twin carburetors were rebuilt by a prior owner and the car’s 4-speed manual transmission with overdrive is intact. It also has a full set of wheels that can go on to move it on and off the buyer’s trailer. The interior has only partially survived as the bucket seats are gone. The convertible top is there, but the fabric is toast and the hardware needs repair.
This biggest challenge will be fixing parts of the body. That’s due to some poor workmanship with bondo present in lots of places, the driver’s side front clip is damaged, and some unnecessary cutting was done elsewhere to make things work. The frame is bent but repairable and the seller has a spare frame the buyer can have – for $500 extra. This vehicle has no title, so you’ll have to be satisfied with a bill of sale. Is this a viable project or a hard pass in favor of one in better shape?
Best of luck to whomever buys
All I see is a parts car
Is that a plywood floor for the garage?
Sure does look like it
I don’t know what else would look like that. I can see joints.
A nice shop with no welding, no torch work and no spilling/leaking fluids.
It’s in Minnesota, not Micbigan.
Thanks for the catch!
Well, the price is right, but this one is going to require either very deep pockets – if hiring out the labor, or a dedicated, knowledgeable, probably retired new owner if it is going to have a chance of seeing the light of day again.
Currently at $1,225 and it includes the most valuable part.. the overdrive transmission. His description of how the left front inner fender was cut is exactly what someone did to the one I bought back in 1985. You need a second car to finish this one. Then you need to decide which one to save and which one is the parts car.
Hate to say it (being a longtime TR4A owner) but it’s a parts car from a straight economic standpoint.
Sold for $1750